County officials have dropped their request to temporarily keep Houston Community College trustee Dave Wilson from his office in favor of an expedited trial date that will allow jurors to decide if he lives in District 2.

Last month, the county sued to prevent Wilson from serving on the HCC board amid questions about his residency.

On Tuesday, First Assistant Harris County Attorney Robert Soard confirmed that the county will stop pursuing immediate legal action against Wilson in exchange for a civil trial beginning on April 15.

"We decided that it would be helpful to the people of District 2 and the people of the state of Texas to get this trial over with as quickly as we can," Soard said late Tuesday. "We reached an agreement with Mr. Wilson through his lawyer that we would drop our request for a temporary injunction. In return, they would agree to an expedited trial."

Wilson is ready for a jury to consider the case.

"I look forward to the speedy trial and getting my name cleared," he said late Tuesday. "They've got a losing case and they know it. ... I hope they come to their senses. This is nothing but partisan politics."

Wilson, a conservative and perennial candidate in local elections, made headlines in November when he defeated a 24-year African-American incumbent in a heavily black and dependably Democratic district. His opponent, Bruce Austin, accused Wilson - who is white - of misrepresenting his race to voters in campaign fliers designed to present him as a black candidate. Wilson was certified as the election's winner after a recount.

In a lawsuit filed against Wilson in December, the county accused him of not living in District 2.

Wilson claims to reside in an upstairs apartment at 3400 W. 34th Street, an 11,000-square-foot warehouse, and stated in election filings that he has lived there for two years. An inspection of the location this month by Houston code enforcement officials resulted in a citation indicating that the building is not approved for use as a residence. Photos from the inspection depict sparsely furnished rooms. Wilson's wife, Connie, lists another property outside the HCC district as her homestead. The house is taxed by the Lone Star College System.

Last month, a judge granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting Wilson from taking the oath of office, but the then-trustee-elect provided documents showing that he already had participated in a private swearing-in.

Last Wednesday, another judge turned back the county's down-to-the-wire efforts by declining to issue an order to keep the small-businessman and anti-gay activist from taking his seat. Also last week, an HCC lawyer announced that the community college system had no legal basis to deny Wilson the opportunity to serve as a trustee.

The 67-year-old attended his first board gathering - a committee of the whole - last Thursday with little fanfare.